MG Motor updates MG 4 for 2026

MG MOTOR Australia has committed to expanding its popular MG 4 electric hatch range from next year, the line-up to be bolstered by the addition of a new front-wheel drive model that will sit beneath existing rear- and all-wheel drive variants.

Trademarking the “Urban” nameplate locally, it is expected the entry-grade MG 4 will focus on affordability and everyday usability, adding lower capacity 43kWh and 54kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options to the 64kWh staple.

It is understood that both the 51kWh and 77kWh battery alternatives currently offered will be phased out as part of the MY26 update.

The importer quotes a driving range of up to 437km for the 43kWh model and 530km for the 54kWh variant – both figures are based on the lenient CLTC standard.

MG Motor will offer the new ‘4’ with a single front-mounted electric motor developing 120kW of power and 250Nm of torque.

“The new for 2026 front-wheel drive will be a completely different vehicle, perfect for the city,” said MG Motor Australia chief executive officer Peter Ciao.

“Balancing driver usage needs and production cost considerations of rear wheel drive, we saw the opportunity for an affordable FWD vehicle to complement the MG4 RWD and AWD”.

While full specification and equipment details are still under wraps, it is expected a price rise will accompany the MY26 update. MG Motor Australia is encouraging MG 4 buyers to “snare their piece of history now” while the vehicle is still available from less than $40,000 driveaway.

Changes that have been confirmed for the new entry grade MG 4 include a MacPherson strut front/torsion beam suspension arrangement (in place of the more sophisticated multilink rear offered currently), up to 30 storage compartments throughout the cabin, King Bed mode that sees the seats fold flat to form a makeshift bed, ventilated 50-watt wireless phone charger, soft-light make-up mirrors on the sunvisors, 10.25-inch instrumentation screen, and 15.6-inch infotainment screen.

Cargo space is listed at 471 litres in five-seat mode or 1362 litres all told.

Year-to-date sales figures show the MG 4 is the most popular entrant in the Small passenger over $45K segment with registrations of 2429 units – or a 22.4 per cent share of the segment.

In terms of sales penetration, the model’s nearest rivals include the Volkswagen Golf (1952 unit sales and 18.0 market share points), Subaru WRX (1278 units / 11.8 per cent), Mercedes-Benz A-Class (1169 units / 10.8 per cent), BMW 1 Series (1071 units / 9.9 per cent), and Audi A3 (1073 units / 9/9 per cent).

The closest all-electric rivals in terms of overall sales are the GWM Ora with 399 unit sales (and 3.7 segment percentage points), the Cupra Born (312 units / or 2.9 per cent), and Nissan Leaf (with 62 units / 0.6 per cent).

MG Motor Australia says full details and pricing for the 2026 MG 4 line-up will be released in due course.